Nine (9) Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Bicol Region are implementing the third phase of the National Community-Driven Development Program Additional Financing (NCDDP – AF) under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).

The municipalities taking this initiative are Sta. Magdalena and Barcelona in Sorsogon; Manito in Albay; Sagñay, Presentacion, Lupi, San Fernando, and Ragay in Camarines Sur; and Talisay in Camarines Norte.

The said LGUs were eligible to proceed to the third part of the implementation due to their successful completion of Phases 1 and 2 as well as demonstrated the integration and harmonization of CDD processes and activities into their Local Planning Process.

“We would like to commend the nine municipalities for proceeding with the Phase 3 implementation as it signifies their readiness or capacity to uphold community-led development,” Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Director Norman S. Laurio said.

In the third round of the implementation, the LGUs provide complete resource augmentation for the implementation of their Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs) with the integration of the CDD processes and activities in the local planning process.

The harmonization of processes and activities will provide communities the opportunity to further improve their access to basic services and participate in inclusive local governance.

Director Laurio also assured that the DSWD, through the KALAHI-CIDSS program, will continue to provide technical assistance and guidance to the LGUs to support the successful execution of this phase.

The NCDDP – AF is an expansion of the Disaster Response Operations Modality under the DSWD’s KALAHI-CIDSS program to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and other major disasters while utilizing the institutionalization of principles and systems of the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach in the harmonization of barangay local development planning.